Picture frame assembly

ABSTRACT

A picture frame assembly incorporates at least one angled slotted shim tab and preferably a plurality of angled slotted shim tabs each movably mounted on a backing member of the picture frame assembly and with each shim tab cooperating with a shim tab receiving groove circumscribed, formed, or cast in a back picture opening rabbet return of an outer frame of the frame assembly to secure an artwork within the outer frame. In use, the angled slotted shim tab is pressured into close engagement with the shim tab receiving groove by an angled slot in the shim tab acting against outer portions of a threaded insert mounted transversely in the backing member near its outer edge and a capscrew that is threaded through the angled slot and tightened to secure the shim tab to the backing member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In modern society, a planar artwork such as a picture, photograph, document, or painting is often displayed in a picture frame assembly having an outer frame. Typically, the artwork is placed in the outer frame from the back side of the outer frame and into a back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame and is viewed from the front side of the outer frame through a front picture sight opening.

The present invention employs a novel retaining device—an angled slotted shim tab that is used in the picture frame assembly to retain a picture frame backing member behind an artwork in a fixed relationship to a shim tab receiving groove that circumscribes the inside perimeter of the back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame.

Previously, retaining devices such as nails, screws, glazer's points, or wire staples often were used to retain the artwork in the back picture opening rabbet return of the outer frame with the nails, screws, glazer's points, or staples being hammered, driven, or pressed into portions of the outer frame that define the back picture opening rabbet return and with the retaining devices positioned immediately behind the artwork. Use of these prior art retaining devices often has caused damage to the back picture opening rabbet return and such retaining devices often have been difficult to remove or replace.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a picture frame assembly incorporating at least one angled slotted shim tab having an angled shim tab slot and preferably incorporating a plurality of angled slotted shim tabs with each shim tab movably mounted on a backing member of the picture frame assembly by a respective threaded insert and a respective capscrew and with each shim tab having a groove engaging edge adjustably extending into a shim tab receiving groove circumscribed, formed, or cast in a back picture opening rabbet return of an outer frame of the frame assembly, thereby eliminating the damage caused to the back picture opening rabbet return by use of previously known retaining devices such as nails, screws, glazer's points, or wire staples. In use, the angled slotted shim tab is pressured into close engagement with the shim tab receiving groove by the angled shim tab slot in the shim tab acting as a wedge against outer portions of the threaded insert that is mounted transversely in the backing member near its outer edge and together with the capscrew that is threaded through the slot to retain the shim tab and later tightened to secure the shim tab in a selected position relative to the backing member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that can be more conveniently used to secure an artwork in the outer frame and that can be easily opened to allow removal and replacement of the artwork being displayed as determined by a user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a picture frame assembly that is aesthetically attractive when used with transparent outer frames made in one piece from transparent materials such as clear cast acrylic plastic sheeting.

Preferably, the back picture opening rabbet return has a plurality of shim tab receiving grooves spaced from one another from the back side of the outer frame and towards the front side of the outer frame for selection and use with at least one angled slotted shim tab to secure a backing member in a fixed physical relationship to the selected shim tab receiving groove.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a person with a picture frame assembly that incorporates angled slotted shim tabs as retaining devices that are convenient to use and that are aesthetically pleasing when used in an outer frame that is made of transparent materials. The invention is a novel picture frame assembly that effectively lessens the visibility of an artwork retaining device in this case an angled slotted shim tab that retains an artwork within a transparent picture frame. The invention is particularly useful with outer frames made of hard materials such as cast acrylic sheeting that are not particularly amenable to the use of prior art retaining devices that rely upon penetration into the outer frame by a portion of the retaining device such as a nail, glazer's point, or staple.

Preferably and optimally, a plurality of angled slotted shim tabs are mounted to a rigid backing member and laterally movable and fixable into close positional cooperation with a shim tab receiving groove. Use of a plurality of shim tabs increases the level of securement of the backing member behind an artwork mounted within the picture frame assembly.

The picture frame assembly may be sized in a range of sizes and may be shaped in a variety of shapes to accommodate artwork of various sizes and dimensions that a user desires to mount within the picture frame assembly.

Preferably, the angled slotted shim tab is made of high density polyethylene, nylon, metal, composite, wood, or other suitable material.

Additional and various other objects and advantages attained by the invention will become more apparent as the specification is read and the accompanying figures are reviewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a back plan view of a picture frame assembly 10;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a picture frame assembly 10 as viewed in direction 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial perspective view of a backing member 32 showing an associated insert receiving bore 40, a threaded insert 44, an angled slotted shim tab 50, and a capscrew 56;

FIG. 4 is an oblique perspective view of an angled slotted shim tab 70 showing the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a picture frame assembly 110 showing a glazing panel 28 and an artwork 30 mounted in the picture frame assembly;

FIG. 6 is a back plan view of the backing member 32 shown in FIG. 1 showing six angled slotted shim tabs 50 and showing alternative positions of an angled slotted shim tab fully overlying the field of the backing member or extending out beyond the outer edge of the backing member;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the backing member 32 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an oblique perspective view of a third embodiment of an angled slotted shim tab 80;

FIG. 9 is a side plan view of the angled slotted shim tab 80 shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a back plan view of a third embodiment of a picture frame assembly 210;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a picture frame assembly 210 as viewed in direction 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective partially exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 310;

FIG. 13 is an oblique perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an angled slotted shim tab 100;

FIG. 14 is a back plan view of a fifth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 410;

FIG. 15 is a back plan view of a sixth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 510;

FIG. 16 is a back plan view of a hexagonal backing member 532;

FIG. 17 is a back plan view of an octagonal backing member 632; and

FIG. 18 is a back plan view of a star-shaped backing member 732.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 18, the present invention is a novel picture frame assembly 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, or 510 having at least one shim tab receiving groove 20, 22, 24, 26, 220, or 320 that receives and cooperates with at least one angled slotted shim tab 50, 70, 80, or 100 movably mounted to a backing member 32, 132, 232, 332, or 432 to adjustably secure the backing member within an outer frame 12, 212, or 312 of the picture frame assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a picture frame assembly 10 has a generally planar outer frame 12 having a back outer frame surface 13, a back picture opening rabbet return 14, a front picture sight opening 16, and a front outer frame surface 17. Preferably, the back picture opening rabbet return 14 depends inwardly from the back outer frame surface 13 and towards the front outer frame surface 17 and communicates transversely through the outer frame 12 and joins with the front picture sight opening 16.

Preferably, a picture support flange 18 extends inwardly at the front outer frame surface 17 to define the front picture sight opening 16 and to provide a stop against which a transparent glazing panel 28 may be placed within the picture frame assembly 10 as best shown in FIG. 5 and then with an artwork 30 placed against the glazing panel. Alternatively, the picture frame assembly 10 can be used without a glazing panel 28 with the artwork 30 placed directly against the picture support flange 18.

The back picture opening rabbet return 14 has at least a first shim tab receiving groove 20 circumscribed around the inner perimeter of the back picture opening rabbet return and spaced from the back outer frame surface 13.

A second shim tab receiving groove 22, a third shim tab receiving groove 24, and a fourth shim tab receiving groove 26, as seen in FIGS. 2, 5, and 11 can be spaced from the first shim tab receiving groove and towards the front outer frame surface 17. The shim tab receiving grooves 20, 22, 24, and 26 are preferably V-shaped and are each sized to receive and cooperate with an angled slotted shim tab 50, 70, 80, or 100 with each angled slotted shim tab respectively having an angled shim tab slot 54 therein.

A generally planar backing member 32 is sized to be received within the back picture opening rabbet return 14 and to lie against an artwork 30 placed previously within the rabbet return. See FIG. 5. The backing member 32 is a rigid panel having a backing member front surface 34, a backing member back surface 36, and a backing member core 38. While the backing member 32 may be a single layer panel, preferably it is a three layer panel having a plastic core (preferably vinyl) sandwiched between two surface layers of metal (preferably aluminum).

As seen in FIG. 3, at least one insert receiving bore 40 is located transversely through the backing member 32 and located near its outer edge. Preferably, a plurality of insert receiving bores 40 are distributed around the backing member 32 with each near the member's outer edge. A threaded insert 44 is inserted and retained within each insert receiving bore 40 from the backing member front surface 34. See FIG. 3.

Preferably, each threaded insert 44 is pressed from the backing member front surface 34 into a close fitting bore 40 in the backing member 32 with a press that slightly dimples the backing member and positions and fixes the insert flush with the backing member front surface.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, and 15, the first embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab 50 is generally semicircular in shape and has a groove engaging edge 52 along its generally straight edge that is a single beveled edge, the preferred embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab 70 (best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) is generally semicircular in shape and has a groove engaging edge 72 along its generally straight edge that is a double beveled edge defined by a narrower beveled surface 74 joining a broader beveled surface 76, the third embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab 80 (best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9) is generally rectangular in shape and has a groove engaging edge 82 along one side of the shim that is a double beveled edge defined by an alternative narrower beveled surface 84 and an alternative broader beveled surface 86 and a groove engaging edge 88 along the opposite side that is a single beveled edge, and the fourth embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab 100 (best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14) is generally semicircular in shape and has a groove engaging edge 102 along its generally curved edge that is a single beveled edge.

A fifth embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab with a curved double beveled edge is not shown in the figures, but it would be generally semicircular in shape and have a curved groove engaging edge along its generally curved edge that is a double beveled edge.

The angled shim tab slot 54 incorporated in each embodiment of the angled slotted shim tab 50, 70, 80, and 100 has the slot inclined at an angle to the groove engaging edge or edges of the respective shim tab embodiments.

In each embodiment of the picture frame assembly 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510, a capscrew 56 is threaded through each angled shim tab slot 54 and engages an associated threaded insert 44 or 144 to movably secure each angled slotted shim tab 50, 70, 80, or 100 to the backing member back surface 36, 136, 236, 336, or 436.

Preferably, in each angled slotted shim tab in each embodiment of the picture frame assembly, the surface of the angled shim tab slot closer to its groove engaging edge that is to extend beyond the respective outer edge of the respective backing member to engage a respective shim tab receiving groove functions as an inclined plane that can be used with mechanical advantage to push its groove engaging edge into closer and tighter engagement with the respective shim tab receiving groove as the shim tab is moved laterally and either parallel to the straight outer edge or tangential to the curved outer edge of the respective backing member.

As shown in FIG. 2, the angled slotted shim tab 50 is mounted in a first orientation to the backing member back surface 36 with the groove engaging edge 52 with its single bevel facing upward away from the backing member back surface and with the groove engaging edge movable in a plane close to the plane of the backing member back surface. Alternatively, the capscrew 56 shown in FIG. 2 could be disengaged from the threaded insert 44 and unthreaded from the angled shim tab slot 54 and the angled slotted shim tab 50 could be flipped 180 degrees vertically and then the capscrew could be rethreaded through the angled shim tab slot and reengaged with the insert resulting in the shim tab being mounted in a second orientation to the backing member back surface 36 with the groove engaging edge 52 movable in a plane generally parallel to and spaced from the plane of the backing member back surface by the thickness of the shim tab. The other embodiments of the angled slotted shim tab 70, 80, and 100 could also be flipped 180 degrees vertically in orientation to their respective backing member back surfaces resulting in changes in the respective planes in which their respective groove engaging edges move.

In FIG. 2, the groove engaging edge 52 is shown partially extending into the shim tab receiving groove 20 of the outer frame 12. As the groove engaging edge 52 shown in FIG. 2 and the other five groove engaging edges (not shown in FIG. 2 but shown in FIG. 1) are equally extended further into the groove 20, the groove engaging edges will slide down the angled surface of the groove towards the bottom of the groove and the backing member 32 will be moved into a plane closer to the plane of the front outer frame surface 17.

The angled slotted shim tabs 50, 70, 80, and 100 may be made from any suitable sturdy durable material such as thermoplastic, polyethylene, nylon, metal, composite, wood, or any other material that is strong enough to function as a securement device.

Each threaded insert 44 or 144 in each backing member 32, 132, 232, 332, or 432 cooperates with an associated capscrew 56 threaded through the angled shim tab slot 54 of an angled slotted shim tab 50, 70, 80, or 100 to adjustably retain the shim tab against the backing member back surface 36, 136, 236, 336, or 446.

Referring to FIG. 6, a user can selectively and incrementally adjust the position of an angled slotted shim tab 50 having an angled shim tab slot 54 that is movably secured to a backing member 32 having a backing member back surface 36 by a capscrew 56 threaded through the slot and engaging a threaded insert 44 (not shown in FIG. 6, but shown in FIG. 7) from a position in which its groove engaging edge 52 is overlying the outer edge of the backing member to a position with the groove engaging edge extending beyond the outer edge by moving the shim tab diagonally along the diagonal direction of the slot and a selected position for the shim tab can be fixed by tightening the capscrew into the insert thereby clamping the shim tab against the backing member back surface.

FIG. 7 shows two additional threaded inserts 46 press fit into transverse bores in the backing member 32 and located within the central field of the backing member front surface 34 and used with capscrews 56 to removably receive, retain, and mount two frame hanging support bails 60 and two associated washers 62 as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 10 to the backing member.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative backing member 132 having a single beveled edge 150 along a side of the backing member opposite a side having an alternative insert receiving bore 140 located transversely through the backing member and located near its outer edge. The alternative insert receiving bore 140 has a countersink portion starting from an alternative backing member front surface 134 transversely partially into the alternative backing member 132 and sized to closely receive and retain an alternative threaded insert 144 having an outer profile shaped to cooperate closely with the alternative insert receiving bore.

As further shown in FIG. 11, the alternative backing member 132 has an alternative backing member front surface 134, an alternative backing member back surface 136, and an alternative backing member core 138. As further shown in FIG. 11, the single beveled edge 150 is sized and shaped to be received in and to cooperate with a selected shim tab receiving groove 20, 22, 24, or 26. As further shown in FIG. 11, an angled slotted shim tab 50 is retained and mounted to the alternative backing member 132 and held in contact with the alternative backing member back surface 136 by a capscrew 56 threaded through the angled shim tab slot 54 and engaging the alternative threaded insert 144 with the shim tab positionable by lateral movement that causes the side of the angled slot to impinge against portions of the threaded together alternative threaded insert and the capscrew to urge the groove engaging edge 52 into close and cooperating engagement within the previously selected shim tab receiving groove 20, 22, 24, or 26.

Preferably, the outward movement of the angled slotted shim tab 50 beyond the outer edge of the alternative backing member 132 causes the groove engaging edge 52 and the single beveled edge 150 to each bottom out in the shim tab receiving groove 20 and with the backing member positioned in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the front outer frame surface 17.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective partially exploded view of a fourth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 310 having an easel support leg 90 having a first easel securement bore 92 located near one end of the support leg and transverse through the support leg and a second easel securement bore 94 located between the first easel securement bore and the mid-length and mid-line of the support leg and also transverse through the support leg and with the support leg secured to an alternative backing member 232 by means of an insert receiving bore (not shown) located transversely through the backing member from backing member front surface (not shown) to the backing member back surface 236 and located near its midpoint, a threaded insert (not shown) inserted and retained within the insert receiving bore from the backing member front surface, and a capscrew 56 either threaded through the first easel securement bore to engage the threaded insert to prop the picture frame assembly in a portrait orientation or threaded through the second easel securement bore 94 to engage the threaded insert to prop the picture frame assembly 310 in a landscape orientation after the frame assembly is rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the capscrew and the support leg also is rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the capscrew.

FIG. 13 is an oblique perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an angled slotted shim tab 100 showing a curved groove engaging edge 102 that is shown in FIG. 14 mounted in tandem with a second shim tab in a fifth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 410 having an oval outer frame 212, an oval back picture opening rabbet return 214, an oval shim tab receiving groove 220 circumscribed around the inner perimeter of the rabbet return, an oval backing member 332, having an oval backing member back surface 336, and with the respective groove engaging edges engaging the oval shim tab receiving groove to secure the oval backing member in the picture frame assembly. An alternative position of the angled slotted shim tab 100 not engaging the receiving groove 220 is also shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 shows three angled slotted shim tabs 50 each having a groove engaging edge 52 that are mounted in a sixth embodiment of a picture frame assembly 510 having a triangular outer frame 312, a triangular back picture opening rabbet return 314, a triangular shim tab receiving groove 320 circumscribed around the inner perimeter of the rabbet return, a triangular backing member 432, having a triangular backing member back surface 436, and with the respective groove engaging edges engaging the triangular shim tab receiving groove to secure the triangular backing member in the picture frame assembly.

FIG. 16 is a back plan view of a hexagonal backing member 532 that could be used with appropriately chosen angled slotted shim tabs in a picture frame assembly having a hexagonal back picture opening rabbet return in a manner analogous to the manner taught above regarding the sixth embodiment that includes a triangular backing member 432.

FIG. 17 is a back plan view of an octagonal backing member 632 that could be used with appropriately chosen angled slotted shim tabs in a picture frame assembly having an octagonal back picture opening rabbet return in a manner analogous to the manner taught above regarding the sixth embodiment that includes a triangular backing member 432.

FIG. 18 is a back plan view of a star-shaped backing member 732 that could be used with appropriately chosen angled slotted shim tabs in a picture frame assembly having a star-shaped back picture opening rabbet return in a manner analogous to the manner taught above regarding the sixth embodiment that includes a triangular backing member 432.

The preceding description and exposition of the invention is presented for purposes of illustration and enabling disclosure. It is neither intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications or variations in the invention in light of the above teachings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted to the breath to which they fairly, legitimately and equitably are entitled. 

1. A picture frame assembly for the display of an artwork comprising a backing member, said backing member having at least one insert receiving bore located near its outer edge; each said insert receiving bore receiving and retaining therein a threaded insert; an angled slotted shim tab associated with each said threaded insert, each said angled slotted shim tab having an angled shim tab slot and a groove engaging edge; a capscrew associated with each said threaded insert and each said capscrew threaded through each said angled slotted shim tab and received within each said threaded insert, an outer frame, having a back picture opening rabbet return; said rabbet return having at least one shim tab receiving groove circumscribing the perimeter of said rabbet return; and each said shim tab receiving groove sized to receive and cooperate with each said groove engaging edge of each said angled slotted shim tab.
 2. A picture frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said groove engaging edge is single beveled.
 3. A picture frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said groove engaging edge is double beveled.
 4. A picture frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said groove engaging edge is a straightedge.
 5. A picture frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said groove engaging edge is a curved edge.
 6. A picture frame assembly according to claim 1 further comprising a picture support flange extending inwardly in said picture sight opening.
 7. A picture frame assembly for the display of artwork comprising an outer frame, having a back outer frame surface and a front outer frame surface, a back picture opening rabbet return in said back outer frame surface communicating transversely through said outer frame and joining with a front picture sight opening in said front outer frame surface, said back picture opening rabbet return extending towards said front outer frame surface, said back picture opening rabbet return having a shim tab receiving groove circumscribed around the inner perimeter of said back picture opening rabbet return and said groove spaced from said back outer frame surface, a backing member sized to be received within said back picture opening rabbet return, said backing member having a backing member front surface, a backing member back surface, and a backing member outer edge, an insert receiving bore transverse through said backing member and located near said backing member outer edge, a threaded insert inserted and retained within said insert receiving bore from said backing member front surface, an angled slotted shim tab having a groove engaging edge and an angled slotted shim tab slot, and a capscrew threaded through said shim tab slot and engaging said threaded insert.
 8. A picture frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein each said groove engaging edge is single beveled.
 9. A picture frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein each said groove engaging edge is double beveled.
 10. A picture frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein each said groove engaging edge is a straightedge.
 11. A picture frame assembly according to claim 7 wherein each said groove engaging edge is a curved edge.
 12. A picture frame assembly according to claim 7 further comprising a picture support flange extending inwardly in said picture sight opening. 